Palestinians mark Valentine’s Day

Ramallah Palestinians in the West Bank marked Valentine’s Day by exchanging gifts and flowers even as the occasion gave them a chance to forget the wounds of the armed struggle with Israel.

Gifts and flower shops were crowded with couples and college students over the past two days.

Amjad Anayah, a flower shop owner, said the Palestinians showed an increased interest this year as they are getting more and more connected to the Valentine’s Day.

“It has now become an important occasion to celebrate in Palestine,” he said. “Few years ago, Palestinians had no interest, but the situation has dramatically changed,” he stressed.

He said the years of uprising have taken away the joy of marking the Valentine’s Day, but the residents believe that the day is an occasion to celebrate.

Students of Al Quds and Al Najah universities told Gulf News that it is a very important occasion for them. The bookshops around the universities were stocked up with gifts and flowers. The students said that despite an opposition from their families, they still celebrate the occasion.

Ala’a Khadeejah, an owner of a gifts shop, said that over the years, his customers from villages, towns and refugee camps also bought huge quantities of gifts and flowers to sell there.